The Arizona State Sun Devils will face the Duke Blue Devils in the Sun Bowl.
How did both teams get here?
In 2024, Duke finished 9-3 overall, but 5-3 in the ACC, as they lost to Ole Miss 52-20 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
In 2024, ASU shocked college football, finishing 10-2 overall, and 7-2 in the Big 12, which saw them go to the Big 12 Championship with a chance at College Football Playoffs.
ASU won the Big 12 Championship in their first ever season in the region over Iowa State 45-19, cementing a spot in the College Football Playoffs which included a bye, but they would heartbreakingly lose their first CFP game to Texas 39-31 in double-overtime.
Of those seniors, 23 played on a team that won three games,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “That graduating class went from winning three games to winning a Big 12 Championship, to playing in the playoffs. They came here when we were in the mud, and they were all players who got it out of the mud.”
In 2025, The Sun Devils had a rough start after a loss to Mississippi State in non-conference play, but picked up the slack, including upset wins against ranked teams such as TCU and Texas Tech, finishing the season 8-4 overall, but only 6-3 in the Big 12.
“Our guys battled together,” Dillingham regarding the season. “They’re close. In today’s era of college football, that’s rare and that’s hard. I think what this team really did was they leaned into one another. When times were tough, when injuries happened. That’s probably what got us to this point.”
In a region as packed as the Big 12, ASU didn’t make the Big 12 Championship, and a loss to rivals Arizona knocked them out of the Top 25.
“We cannot turn it over five times,” Dillingham said. “We cannot turn it over six times; we have to make sure that the ball is a premium. It starts with me coaching it; it starts with myself emphasizing it. Obviously, the things I’ve done, emphasizing the ball, has not been good enough.”
Even then, the team was bowl guaranteed after beating Iowa State 24-19 late in the season.
As for Duke, they made their own Cinderella story.
Duke started off shaky in the 2025 season, losing two games in non-conference play, but started off well in the ACC, and ultimately finished 8-5 overall, with a 6-2 record in the ACC.
Duke made the ACC Championship despite being tied for second in the region with four other teams, making it due to strength of schedule and strong conference play.
Duke played Virginia in the ACC Championship. The two met earlier in the season, where Virginia won convincingly 34-17 despite being on the road.
Come to the ACC Championship game however, Duke beat Virginia 27-20 in overtime, claiming their first ACC Championship since 1962.
In terms of matchup, Duke has an advantage in the quarterback department, as sophomore Darian Mensah has thrown for 3,646 yards, 30 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
“I think he’s a winner,” Dillingham said regarding Mensah. “To be able to give you a scouting report on him yet, I don’t think that would do him justice. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he’s won a lot at different places. That’s usually the most important part of a quarterback, is winning.”
ASU’s starting quarterback, Sam Leavitt, is out for the season, being replaced by Jeff Sims.
“I’m going to leave that to Sam’s team,” Dillingham said. “Out of respect for him, for how they want to progress from that. I love Sam. Sam grew so much here, and I grew so much learning from Sam. Whatever his future holds, I wish him nothing but the best.”
Sims has thrown for 886 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions.
“Jeff Sims as a full-time starter is 3-1,” Dillingham said. “That’s pretty good. I got a lot of faith in Jeff; Jeff’s worked his butt off here. Jeff is going to be our starter.”
Duke has Cooper Barkate at wide receiver as well, with 1,069 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Even then, ASU wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has 711 receiving yards and eight touchdowns and is seen as a top prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.
ASU also has a solid run game, with Raleek Brown racking up 1,141 yards and four touchdowns.
As for Duke, they have a one-two combo of running backs from Nate Sheppard and Anderson Castle, both of which have 100+ carries and at least 10 or more touchdowns entering the Sun Bowl.
Both defenses have had their moments, but Duke’s secondary has been solid, with 12 interceptions, and defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr. has 7.5 sacks.
Even though Duke looks like the better team on paper, the last time these two teams played a game was late November or late December, meaning momentum for Duke, who won three straight prior to the Sun Bowl, may not play as big of a role.
“We’re going to try and win the game,” Dillingham said. “We’re going to do everything we can try to win the game. I don’t want our younger players to play and get experience while losing. I’d rather play and they get experience while winning.”
Both teams will be able to get a lot of tape on the other, allowing them to have steady game plans and make quick adjustments if need be.
“We’re going to practice physical,” Dillingham said. “We’re going to get better.”
“We’re going for our 20th win in two seasons,” Dillingham said. “That doesn’t happen very often. That’s kind of the go al; that’s kind of the mission for the football team is to get that 20th win in a two-year span.”
Arizona State University and Duke will play for the Sun Bowl on December 31, in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl will be played on Dec. 31 at noon MST.
CBS will carry the TV broadcast—it will stream on Paramount Plus.
